Marma peoples are 2nd largest ethnic group in Bangladesh over 210,000 population just within Bangladesh. Majority of them live in Bandarban, Khaggrachari, and
Rangamati with two prominent kings at two major areas of Bandarban and Khaggrachari. The cultures of Marma people are not so different from Burmese and South-east Asians. The dialect and script are also similar to Burmse. It is believed that Marmas are descendents of Arakanese of Burma(Western Burma); Arakan state. Not long before, the title of Marma was coined by Bomong Raja as he was the chief and king of Marma. Marma or Arakanese used to govern the area of Chittagong even to extent of Dhaka up to 16th century as the kingdom of Arakan was expanded and annexed to Bangladesh. According to Rajamala, a historical record of Tripura kingdom mentioned of Marma/Mog kings ruling Tripura state before 2nd-3rd A.D.and after. They were powerful in those areas as well in Burma before the invasion of Mughal and British empire. Despite the lost of their kingdoms, Marma people still remain to live in Chittagong, amidst the majority of Muslim they are strong Theravada Buddhists with much influence of Burmese Buddhism.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
An Introduction to Marma People
Marma peoples are 2nd largest ethnic group in Bangladesh over 210,000 population just within Bangladesh. Majority of them live in Bandarban, Khaggrachari, and
Rangamati with two prominent kings at two major areas of Bandarban and Khaggrachari. The cultures of Marma people are not so different from Burmese and South-east Asians. The dialect and script are also similar to Burmse. It is believed that Marmas are descendents of Arakanese of Burma(Western Burma); Arakan state. Not long before, the title of Marma was coined by Bomong Raja as he was the chief and king of Marma. Marma or Arakanese used to govern the area of Chittagong even to extent of Dhaka up to 16th century as the kingdom of Arakan was expanded and annexed to Bangladesh. According to Rajamala, a historical record of Tripura kingdom mentioned of Marma/Mog kings ruling Tripura state before 2nd-3rd A.D.and after. They were powerful in those areas as well in Burma before the invasion of Mughal and British empire. Despite the lost of their kingdoms, Marma people still remain to live in Chittagong, amidst the majority of Muslim they are strong Theravada Buddhists with much influence of Burmese Buddhism.
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